Best Wheel Size

[Stevo7682]

Are the wheels of a e46

Yeah they are style 68

 

[5harp3y]

16s look like poverty spec wheels but will be comfortable
17s best for standard styling (especially staggered) and easiest to get
18s for looks as the z3 can pull them off
19s fit but look sh***

 

[hard top]

16s look like poverty spec wheels but will be comfortable

Depends what you are into, I like OEM spec.

 

[Antm72]

Car was brought on 17's but sits on 18's not a massive discernable difference for me its a sports car its all about the feel and drive which even at 18's i would say is not rough

Chalk and cheese in looks but some very nice wheels about its quite a choice to make.

 

[Gundun]

It all comes down to tastes really...but in my opinion
16" might offer a great riding comfort and no tramlining but most of them really sink into the body of the Z3 and doesn't enhance those curvy flares, especially for 2.8 pre and restyling. They look instead well balanced on a 4 pots pre.
17" look still OEM, the staggered ones like 18,32 and 42 are IMO the best, but the comfort deteriorates quickly and tramlining is noticeable
18" might look the best: I say might because if you go for 18" you must chose a wheel design fairly "full" as I believe those thin spokes that leave a lot of gap aren't really flattering towards the small braking system, plus some of them really makes the little Z3 look like a bandwagon...those of Antm72 or the classic BBS LM look good without the "bandwagon" effect.
19" are way too big for the car in my opinion...leave them to Xibit and Pimp my ride.

 

[Ianmc]

I like the 17" "round style?" (an OEM option I understand) best on the Z3. Guess (but don't know) that 17 tyres cost less than 18s. As has been said, all personal choice in the end.

 

[g8jka]

I run 17's in the winter and 18's in the summer and don't find that much difference in ride quality. Plenty of options with either and if its looks your after then it's worth lowering it a bit when changing for a nice set of alloys to make it look even better. If you fit 18's and don't lower the car it can look a bit to high. As you have a choice, whichever you go with, be sure to get a set of staggered alloys so the back fill the arches more. Staggered wheels on zeds look great.

 

[ljauto]

16" replaced with 17" and do prefer looks of 17" ride seems same and its within bmw specs , personally think 18" is too big

 

[paulgjohnston]

Many thanks for all of the input. I think I'll go for 17" when I get the money together!

 

[Dickymint]

Mine came as new with the 17" and just look so good on the black cars though my daily driver (a GTC) has 20" wheels as standard and makes the Z3 wheels look like pram wheels and not a fan of aftermarket wheels been there done that and unless you pay for top quality the alloy can be like cheese....